Quick answer
There is no universally cheapest platform. A free core plugin can cost more to run than a subscription once hosting, extensions, and developer time are added; a low subscription can rise with GMV thresholds, apps, and payment terms. Model your own store.
Sticker price
Published platform pricing
| Platform | Model | Published starting point | Billing basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shopify | Hosted SaaS | From $29/mo billed yearly ($39 monthly) | Tiered subscription; Plus from $2,300/mo (3-year term) |
| WooCommerce | Open-source, self-hosted | Core plugin free; no platform subscription | Hosting, extensions and services paid separately |
| BigCommerce | Hosted SaaS | From $29/mo annually ($39 monthly) | Tiered subscription with GMV thresholds; Performance custom from $1,499/mo annually |
| Wix | Hosted website builder | $29.77–$159.77/mo equivalent (annual US plans) | Tiered website + commerce plans |
| Squarespace | Hosted website builder | From $19/mo (annual) | Plan fee; commerce transaction and payment fees vary by plan |
| Adobe Commerce | Enterprise, hosted or self-hosted | Not verified here — see official page | Quote-based by package and scope; confirm with Adobe |
| Sellfy | Creator storefront platform | From $22/mo billed yearly ($29 monthly) | Plans capped by annual sales; Sellfy advertises 0% transaction fees |
| Subbly | Subscription commerce platform | Not verified here — see official page | Monthly or annual plan fee plus a per-transaction fee that varies by plan |
Prices are as published on each vendor’s pricing page on Sep 28, 2026, and can change. WooCommerce’s hosting (roughly $25–$350/mo) and extension (roughly $29–$299/year) ranges are WooCommerce’s own estimates.
Shopify is one of the platforms in this pricing comparison. Verify current terms before deciding.
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Total cost of ownership
The layers of total cost
Platform subscription
The published plan. Check annual versus monthly billing—BigCommerce, for example, publishes different prices for each.
Hosting
Included with hosted SaaS and builders. Paid separately for self-hosted WooCommerce.
Apps and extensions
Often the fastest-growing line. Audit overlapping subscriptions every quarter.
Payment-provider costs
Rates and platform-specific fee mechanics vary by provider, plan, and region. Get the current terms from each vendor rather than assuming one rate.
Implementation
Theme, design, data migration, integrations, and partner fees. Usually one-time but material.
Maintenance
Updates, security, backups, and developer retainers—largest for self-hosted stacks.
Plan thresholds
BigCommerce’s 2026 plans include GMV thresholds; growth can move a store into a higher tier.
Switching cost
Data export, redirects, re-implementation, and retraining. Price the exit before the entry.
Method
How to build a cost model
- Define one store scenario: catalog size, monthly orders, revenue, channels.
- List every required app or extension with its current price.
- Get payment terms in writing from each shortlisted platform/provider.
- Estimate implementation and annual maintenance separately.
- Compare year-one and year-three totals, not month one.
Our educational cost calculator runs this model on your inputs. It is not a quote.
Evidence status
What we have not verified
Adobe Commerce's starting price is not stated in this guide because it is quote-based. Payment-processing rates are deliberately not generalized. No hands-on billing test has been completed. See methodology.
Decision support
Frequently asked questions
Which ecommerce platform is cheapest?
It depends on your store. We do not declare a cheapest winner because total cost depends on hosting, apps, payments, implementation, and maintenance.
Is WooCommerce free?
The core plugin is free. Hosting, extensions, and maintenance are not.
Do prices include payment processing?
No. Payment-provider costs are separate and vary by provider, plan, and region.